Driving mechanism



Feb. 13, 1923. 1,445,614 I w. J. EICHENBERG DRIVING MECHA IEM Filed July22, 1918 v Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,445,614 PATENT cr cs.

WILLIAM J'. EICHBNBERG, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO INDUSTRIAL RESEARCHCORPOBRTION, OF TOLEDO, OHIO,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

DRIVING MECHANISM.

Application filed July 22,

To all who m Z/ 2; (/1 Low /=21:

Be it knownthat I, .WILLYAM J. EICHEN- mine, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing aoToledo, county of Lucas, and State of ()h i0, haveinvented certainnew and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism, ofwhich I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relatesto a drive mecha' nism adapted ,for insertionbetween an electric motor and the crank shaft of an internal. combustionengine, and has specific utility when employed for startingpurposes.

The principal object of the invention is to utilize a type of drivingmechanism in which the resilient element thereof is subjected tocompressional strains only.

Another object is to provide a driving mechanism in which the resilientmember is outside the direct line of power transmission.

A further object isto employ a type of drive wherein engagement anddisengagement with the engine is made in an entirely automatic way.

Further objects, and objects relating to economies of manufacture anddetails of construction, will definitely appear from the detaileddescription to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by thedevices shown in theaccompan ing drawing; my invention is clearly de ned and pointed out inthe appended claims.

A structure showing a preferred embodiment of my invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, in whic Figure I shows a driving mechanism partly insection withthe operative elements in disengagement; and

Figure II shows asectional view of the mechanismin operative position. 7

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

' Referring to the numbered parts of the drawing, I have shown a portion1 of an electric motor, which vis preferably of the series type, thistype having been found advantageous for starting-purposes. A casing isformed with a bearing 2, which is adapted to receive the inotor shaft 3which extends outwardly therefrom. Ihemovable driving element oonsiedsofa sleeve 4, the outer surface of which is cutto form a worm gear asimlicated at,-5. For a portion of its 1918. Serial No. 246,140.

length, the motor shaftis channeled lon ludinailly as indicated at 6,Figure II, and v means of the key 7, securely attached to the innerserial-c oi the sleeve. Thesleeve has axial .inovoincnt along, the motorshaft, and at tlusame time. is prevented from havin relative rotationalmovement with theshiit rhrough the employment of this key connection.

Hm-urcd to the bearing of the motor 1 by means of a machine screw 8, isa metal strip fl. \vhirh terminates at its outer or free eiid in a hoohit). which is formed by stamping sir-night walled V-shapedgroove 11across the end ol the strip, parallel to the end. The oll'sct portion ofthe groove or hook is deslgl'lltrl to ride between the threads of theworm gear, so that rotation of this gear Will tend to force it axiallyalong the shaft. In addition, the strip 9 has such a resiliency thatwhen the sleeve is forced inwardly toward' the motor, the inclined baseof the groove 11 will ride over thethreads of the worm gear, andinasmuch as the outer incline of the groove ll is less than that of theinner incline, an outward movementof the sleeve operates against greaterforce than the inner movement, thereby tendingto hold the sleeveadjacent the motor, unless a rotati'onal force is applied tothe motorshaft.

The outer end of the motor shaft'is fitted with a terminal plate 12, theedges of which are inturnedv asshown at 13, Figure I. to form a shallowcup. This plate 12 is rigidly secured to the shaft by means of a pin 14,and is adapted to have rotational movement in the bearing l4 fixed tothe motor or engine casing. Adjacent the end plate l2 is mounted asleeve 15, which is slidahle upon the motor shaft. And near the innerend of this sleeve an annular flange 16 is formed, the edges 17 of whichare oubturned to formn second shallow cup. The shallow cups formed bythe flange edges 13 and 17 form tern'iinal bearings for a coilcompression spring 1.8. which serves as the resilient elen'ient of themotor drive. The outer end ol the sleeve 15 terminates at such a pointthat. it contacts wit-h the plate 12 when the spring is subjected to themaximum of compresslon.

The driven element is illustrated by a section 19 of a gear which isadapted tohave direct connection with the crank shaftqf an internalcombustion engine. Accordingto nally threaded sleeve secured to saidshaft, slidably and nonrotatably relative thereto; and single automaticmeans for moving the threaded sleeve into operative position prior tostarting and for retaining the sleeve in inoperative position subsequentto starting.

6. in an engine starting mechanism, the combination of a power shaft; anexternally threaded sleeve secured to said shaft. slidably andnon-rotatably relative thereto; single means for moving the thrtauledsleeve into operative position prior to starting and for retaining thesleeve in inoperative position subsequent to starting; and additionalmeans for yieldingly engaging the sleeve when in operative position.

7. In an engine starting mechanism, the combination ot a power shaft; anexternally threaded sleeve secured to said shaft, slid- 20 ably andnon-rotatably relative thereto; single automatic means for moving thethread ed sleeve into operative position prior to starting and forretaining the sleeve in inoperative position subsequent to starting; andadditional means for yieldingly engaging the sleeve when in operativeposition.

8. A starter mechanism comprising, a gear adapted to be fixed to theshaft of an engine, a motor, a. second gear slidable on and rotatablewith the shaft of the motor, and a lug adapted to engage the second geartor feeding the same into mesh with the first gear when the motor shaltis rotated in a predetermined direction, and for holdin the same out ofmesh with the first gearwhen the latter is rotated in a predetermineddirection.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

WILLIAM J. EIUHENBERG.

